JP2012166520A - Recording device and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for reducing bronzing phenomenon without adding a large-scale structure.SOLUTION: The recording device has a recording head for discharging a plurality of types of droplets onto a recording medium to perform recording, and performs multipath recording by use of the recording head. The recording device includes an image processing means which generates discharge data corresponding to the plurality of types of droplets for each scanning of the multipath recording; and a discharge control means which discharges, based on the generated discharge data, different types of droplets from the recording head for each scanning of the recording head. The image processing means determines, from the plurality of types of droplets used for recording of a predetermined area on the recording medium, a droplet for use in formation of a first layer constituting the top surface on the recording medium and a droplet for use in formation of a second layer which contacts the first layer and is differed in optical characteristics from the first layer by a predetermined reference or more, and generates the discharge data based on the determination.

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method thereof.

  In recent years, pigment inks have been able to achieve both long-term storage performance inherent to pigment inks and high colorability comparable to dye inks due to advances in manufacturing technology. For this reason, recording using pigment ink is performed mainly for photographs and posters, which are highly demanded to store recorded images over a long period of time.

  However, when pigments are used in the above-mentioned applications, gloss unevenness, where the glossiness of the image tends to be non-uniform, and bronze phenomenon typified by pigment cyan ink may occur. There is an image quality problem that is not found in salt photography. In addition, as display applications such as posters increase, the weakness of image robustness, which indicates image strength and long-term storage as compared to offset printed matter, is also cited as a new problem.

  Here, the bronze phenomenon is a phenomenon in which when illumination light is specularly reflected (specularly reflected) on the surface of the pigment image, it reflects a color different from the color of the illumination light. It has been.

  In order to solve such problems of gloss unevenness, bronze phenomenon, and fastness, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique using a transfer laminate film system in which a recorded image is covered with a transparent resin layer using a transfer film. . Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for completely or partially covering the surface of an image with a transparent processing liquid containing a resin or the like.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-153677 JP 2004-1446 A

  The method of covering the outermost surface of an image on a recording medium recorded with pigment ink with a transparent layer is extremely effective in solving the problems of uneven gloss, bronzing and fastness.

  However, in the method proposed in Patent Document 1, the work process is complicated, and a laminating apparatus is required in addition to the recording apparatus, resulting in a large work space and apparatus.

  Further, in the technique proposed in Patent Document 2, gloss unevenness and fastness are almost solved by the thin transparent layer, but the image quality in which the bronze phenomenon is reduced is limited by the color of the image. Will fall.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for reducing the bronze phenomenon without adding a large-scale configuration.

  In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention is a recording apparatus that includes a recording head that performs recording by discharging a plurality of types of liquid droplets onto a recording medium, and performs multipass recording using the recording head. An image processing unit that generates ejection data corresponding to the plurality of types of droplets for each scan of the multi-pass recording, and the recording based on the ejection data generated by the image processing unit Discharge control means for discharging different types of droplets from the recording head for each scan of the head, and the image processing means is configured to record the plurality of types of droplets used for recording a predetermined area on the recording medium. Among them, the difference in optical characteristics between the droplet used for forming the first layer constituting the outermost surface on the recording medium and the first layer is different from a predetermined standard by more than a predetermined standard. Liquid used for forming the second layer To determine at least the door, it generates the ejection data based on the determination.

  According to the present invention, the bronzing phenomenon can be reduced without adding a large-scale configuration.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a configuration of a recording apparatus 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a recording head. The figure for demonstrating the method of reducing a bronze phenomenon. The figure for demonstrating the method of reducing a bronze phenomenon. The figure for demonstrating the method of reducing a bronze phenomenon. The figure for demonstrating the method of reducing a bronze phenomenon. The figure for demonstrating the method of reducing a bronze phenomenon. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the control system in the recording device 30 shown in FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a method for generating ejection data. The figure for demonstrating a mask process. The figure for demonstrating a mask process. The figure for demonstrating a mask process. The figure which shows an example of a recording process. The figure for demonstrating a mask process. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a recording head. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a method for generating ejection data.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a recording apparatus using an ink jet recording method will be described as an example. The recording apparatus may be, for example, a single function printer having only a recording function, or may be a multi-function printer having a plurality of functions such as a recording function, a FAX function, and a scanner function. Further, for example, a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a color filter, an electronic device, an optical device, a minute structure, and the like by a predetermined recording method may be used.

  In the following description, “recording” is not limited to the case where significant information such as characters and figures is formed, and it does not matter whether it is significant. Further, it also represents a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, a structure, or the like is widely formed on a recording medium or a medium is processed regardless of whether or not it is manifested so that a human can perceive it visually.

  “Recording medium” represents not only paper used in general recording apparatuses but also cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, resin, wood, leather, and the like that can accept ink. .

  Further, “ink” should be interpreted widely as in the definition of “recording”. Therefore, by being applied on the recording medium, it can be used for forming an image, pattern, pattern, etc., processing the recording medium, or processing the ink (for example, coagulation or insolubilization of the colorant in the ink applied to the recording medium). Represents a liquid that can be provided.

  The “ink having the property of improving the image” refers to an ink having improved image performance such as image robustness and quality. The “treatment liquid” refers to a liquid (image performance improving liquid) that improves image performance such as image robustness and quality by being brought into contact with ink.

  Here, “improving the fastness of an image” refers to improving the fastness of an ink image by improving at least one of scratch resistance, weather resistance, water resistance and alkali resistance. On the other hand, “improving image quality” means improving the quality of an ink image by improving at least one of gloss, haze, and bronze.

  Here, “scratch resistance” is evaluated by the minimum load value measured according to the method defined in JIS K 5600-5-5. “Improving scratch resistance” means “increasing the minimum load value”.

  The “weather resistance” is evaluated based on the degree (grade) of change measured according to the method defined in JIS K 5600-7. For example, color difference or the like is used for evaluating the degree of color change. “Improving weather resistance” means “lowering the degree of change (grade)”.

  Further, “water resistance” and “alkali resistance” are evaluated by observing signs of damage measured according to the method defined in JIS K 5600-6-1. And “to improve water resistance” means “to reduce signs of damage”.

  “Glossiness” is evaluated by the glossiness measured according to the method defined in JIS K 5600-4-7. “Improving glossiness” means “increasing the value of glossiness”.

  The “haze property” is evaluated by a haze value measured according to a method defined in JIS K 7374. “Improving haze” means “lowering the haze value”.

  The “bronze property” is evaluated by chromaticity measured according to a method defined in JIS K 0115. “Improving bronze” means “to neutralize the chromaticity value”.

(Embodiment 1)
[overall structure]
The first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a recording apparatus) 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The recording head 22 includes five recording heads 22K, 22C that discharge a plurality of types of liquid droplets (black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and processing liquid (H)), respectively. 22M... 22H. Recording is performed by discharging droplets (ink or processing liquid) to the recording medium 1 from the discharge ports provided in the recording heads 22.

  The tank 21 supplies ink and processing liquid to each of the recording heads 22K, 22C, 22M... 22H. The tank 21 includes seven tanks 21K, 21C, 21M,... 21H that store ink and processing liquid corresponding to each color. The recording head 22 and the tank 21 are configured to be movable in the main scanning direction (arrow X direction). In the present embodiment, pigment ink is stored in the ink tank 21 corresponding to each color. The treatment liquid is used to form a transparent layer on the outermost surface of a pigment ink layer (hereinafter referred to as an ink layer) formed on a recording medium using this pigment ink. By forming the transparent layer with the treatment liquid on the outermost surface of the ink layer, it is possible to improve the scratch resistance of the image fastness.

  The cap 20 includes five caps 20K, 20C, 20M... 20H in order to cap the ejection surfaces of the five recording heads. When the recording head 22 and the tank 21 do not perform recording, the recording head 22 and the tank 21 return to the home position where the cap 20 is disposed and stand by. When the standby of the recording head 22 at the home position reaches a certain time, the recording head 22 is capped to prevent the discharge surface (discharge port formation surface) of the recording head 22 from drying. The

  In addition, when individually referring to these recording heads and tanks, the reference numbers given to them are used. However, when referring comprehensively, the recording heads are referred to as “22” as generic reference numbers. ”,“ 21 ”for the tank and“ 20 ”for the cap. Moreover, the recording head and the tank used here may be configured integrally or may be configured to be separable.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a view of the recording head 22 as viewed from the discharge port side. The recording heads 22K, 22C, 22M,... 22H have 1280 ejection openings arranged at a density of 1200 dpi along a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction (sub-scanning direction: arrow Y direction). Are formed. The recording head 22H is arranged to be shifted downstream of the recording heads 22K, 22C, 22M,... 22H in the recording medium conveyance direction along the sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction). The exit is arranged. The amount of ink ejected from each ejection port 23 at a time is, for example, about 4.5 ng.

[Bronze phenomenon reduction method]
Here, a technique for reducing the bronze phenomenon will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cross section of a recording medium on which an ink layer is formed. The ink layer is formed by ejecting pigment ink onto the recording medium and attaching the pigment ink to the surface of the recording medium.

  Reference numeral 61 denotes a recording medium, and reference numeral 62 denotes an ink layer. Reference numeral 64 indicates the direction in which light enters (incident direction), and reference numeral 65 indicates the direction in which light reflects and exits (outgoing direction). Hereinafter, reference numeral 64 is referred to as incident light, and reference numeral 65 is referred to as reflected light.

  Here, the bronze phenomenon is a phenomenon in which, when incident light is specularly reflected, a color different from the color of light is colored. In regular reflection, according to the law of reflection, the incident angle and reflection angle of light are the same with respect to the surface of the ink layer 62 (θi = θr).

  When measuring bronze, first, on the incident direction side indicated by reference numeral 64, the surface of the ink layer 62 is irradiated from a predetermined angle by a white light source, and the specularly reflected reflected light 65 is detected by a light receiver. Then, the detected tristimulus value XxYxZx in the CIE XYZ color system is converted, and the hue and saturation C * obtained from the converted CIE L * a * b * color system L * a * b * Or the like may be acquired as a value indicating the size of the bronze. Since bronze relates not to the brightness of the image of the reflected illumination but to its color (value indicating color), in this embodiment, the value of L *, which is a value indicating brightness, is used for evaluation. Do not use.

  As the light source, for example, a halogen bulb, a xenon lamp, an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp, a deuterium lamp, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), or a combination of any of these may be used. As the light receiver, for example, a single light receiving surface type photodiode, a photoelectric tube, a photomultiplier tube, a multi-element light receiving surface type Si photodiode array, or a CCD may be used. Each of the light source and the light receiver may have an optical (lens or the like) system. In this embodiment, bronze is measured by measuring chromaticity using SPECTRORADIOMETER CS-2000A manufactured by Konica Minolta. The measuring device only needs to be able to measure the bronze of the pigment ink, and any measuring device may be used.

  The recording medium is not limited as long as it can measure the size of the dried ink bronze. For example, any sheet-like medium such as an OHP sheet may be used. In addition, it is not always necessary to perform recording with a recording apparatus, and it is sufficient that an ink layer is formed on the surface of a sheet-like medium.

  Here, Table 1 shows measured values for bronzes measured from a recording medium on which recording was performed using cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink.

The size of the bronze is saturation (C *). In the measurement results shown in Table 1, pigment ink is ejected to the recording medium at 100% Duty, and multi-pass recording is performed for a total of 8 scans. Here, in the present embodiment, 100% duty is defined as ejecting one dot of ink to an area of 1/1200 inch square (hereinafter referred to as 1200 dpi square) on the recording medium. In the measurement of Table 1, Canon photo glossy paper (trade name “photo glossy paper [thin mouth] LFM-GP421R”) is used as the recording medium.

  As shown in Table 1, the bronze phenomenon is not the white color of the light source or the original color of the ink, but may be reflected in the human eye as reflected light of a different color. The strength can be measured by a bronze value (C *).

  Referring to Table 1, cyan ink and magenta ink have a larger bronze value than yellow ink. Further, bronze having a color different from the original color of the ink is generated in the cyan ink and the yellow ink. Among these, the cyan ink produces a reddish bronze and further has a large bronze value. Therefore, the image quality is felt to be the worst for human eyes.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cross section of a recording medium in which a transparent layer is formed with a treatment liquid on an ink layer formed with pigment ink.

  Reference numeral 61 denotes a recording medium, reference numeral 62 denotes an ink layer, and reference numeral 63 denotes a transparent layer. Here, the incident light 64 is divided into light (surface reflected light) 65 that is regularly reflected on the surface of the transparent layer 63 and light 67 that travels in the transparent layer 63 while changing the angle of the traveling direction on the surface of the transparent layer 63. Furthermore, the light 67 that has passed through the transparent layer is divided into light 69 that is regularly reflected on the surface of the ink layer 62 and light 70 that travels in the ink layer 62 while changing the angle of the traveling direction on the surface of the ink layer 62.

  Here, the ratio (also referred to as the phase velocity ratio) of changing the angle of the traveling direction at the boundary between different media such as air and the transparent layer 63 and the transparent layer 63 and the ink layer 62 is called a refractive index. .

When light is incident on a medium having a different refractive index, a phenomenon of reflection always occurs at the interface. For example, when the light enters the medium having the refractive index n1 from the air layer (refractive index n0), reflection having the following intensity occurs.
R = (n1-n0) ^ 2 / (n1 + n0) ^ 2 (Formula 1)
R: reflectance n0: refractive index of air layer n1: refractive index of medium

  This is the formula for the normal incidence of Fresnel formula.

  Here, in the present embodiment, in order to reduce the bronze phenomenon, the transparent layer 63 is provided on the surface of the ink layer 62, the reflected light 65 on the surface of the provided transparent layer 63, the transparent layer 63, and the ink layer 62. And the reflected light 66 from the interface.

  The intensity of the surface reflected light 65 depends on the refractive index (n1) of the transparent layer 63, and the intensity of the interface reflected light 69 is the refractive index (n) of the ink layer 62 and the refractive index (n1) of the transparent layer 63. Depends on the difference.

  Since the ink layer 62 and the transparent layer 63 have a large difference in refractive index, most of the light incident on the interface is reflected at the interface. Therefore, interference between the interface reflected light 69 and the surface reflected light 65 is likely to occur. On the contrary, when the difference in refractive index between the ink layer 62 and the transparent layer 63 is small, the interface reflected light 69 decreases and interference does not easily occur. Therefore, in order to reduce the bronze phenomenon using the above-described method, it is necessary to increase the difference in refractive index between the transparent layer 63 and the ink layer 62.

  Here, the refractive index may be measured using, for example, a spectroscopic ellipsometer. A spectroscopic ellipsometer irradiates a sample with laser light, and measures a film thickness and a refractive index from a change in a deflection state caused by interference between light reflected from the surface of the thin film and light reflected from the back surface of the film. In addition, as long as a measuring device can measure a refractive index, you may use what kind of measuring device.

  Next, the refractive index measured from the transparent layer 63 and the ink layer 62 will be described. These refractive indexes are obtained by ejecting pigment ink at 100% Duty on Canon photo glossy paper (trade name “Photo Glossy Paper [Thin Mouth] LFM-GP1R”) and using the above spectroscopic ellipsometer. It is the result of measuring.

  The refractive index of the transparent layer 63 (treatment liquid) was about 1.4. Further, the refractive index of the ink layer 62 (pigment ink) was about 1.3 to 1.8, and had wavelength dispersion characteristics. For example, the refractive index of black ink is about 1.5 to 1.6, the refractive index of magenta ink is about 1.5 to 1.7, and the refractive index of cyan ink is about 1.3 to 1. 6 and the refractive index of the yellow ink was about 1.75 to 2.2.

  Based on this result, in the following description, a pigment ink having a large difference in refractive index from the treatment liquid will be described as magenta ink and yellow ink, and a pigment ink having a small difference will be described as cyan ink and black ink. In addition, what is necessary is just to classify by providing a threshold value (predetermined reference | standard), for example whether the difference in refractive index with a process liquid is large. For example, based on the measurement values described above, the refractive index of black ink is 1.6 (maximum value), the refractive index of magenta ink is 1.7 (maximum value), and the refractive index of cyan ink is 1.6 (maximum value). The refractive index of yellow ink is 2.2 (maximum value). In this case, if the refractive index (1.4) with the treatment liquid is a value equal to or greater than a predetermined reference (0.3), if the rule that the difference in the refractive index with the treatment liquid is large is determined, Classification as described above can be performed.

  Next, interference of reflected light caused by the difference in refractive index will be described. First, interference of reflected light (in the thin film) means that light reflected on the surface of the transparent layer 63 and light reflected on the back side of the layer through the surface of the layer interfere with each other and strengthen each other. It is a phenomenon in which interference colors appear due to cancellation.

  The thickness of the transparent layer 63 formed by the treatment liquid is generally about 100 nm to 500 nm. Such a transparent layer (transparent thin film layer) 63 tends to generate interference colors. An optical path difference is generated between the light 67 that has passed through the transparent layer 63 and the incident light 68, and the light is strengthened or weakened depending on the relationship between the distance of the optical path difference and the wavelength of the light.

In this case, generally, the following equation is established.
m * λ = n1 * 2d * cos θ + λ / 2 (Formula 2)
m: integer n1: refractive index of transparent layer d: thickness of transparent layer θ: incident angle

  The light of the wavelength λ satisfying this condition strengthens and colors strongly.

  Table 2 shows the measured values for the interference color. In measuring this measurement value, cyan ink and a treatment liquid (in order to make the film thickness of the treatment liquid substantially constant) are sequentially deposited on the recording medium, and then measured from the recording medium using a measuring instrument. Do. As the recording medium, Canon photo glossy paper (trade name “Photo Glossy Paper [Thin Mouth] LFM-GP421R” is used. Further, as a measuring instrument used for measuring the interference color, SPECTRADIOMETER CS manufactured by Konica Minolta is used. -2000 A. That is, the chromaticity is measured using the measuring device, and any measuring device may be used as long as the measuring device can measure the interference color.

Here, the cyan ink is discharged at 100% duty, and the discharge duty of the processing liquid is switched stepwise.

  As shown in Table 2, no interference color is observed when the amount of treatment liquid attached is small. This is because there is no wavelength region satisfying Equation 2 in the visible light region. On the other hand, when the adhesion amount of the processing liquid is increased (the film thickness is increased), the wavelength of the interference color is increased accordingly. That is, the color of the interference color changes according to the film thickness d of the transparent layer 63.

  The reflected light of the light incident on the ink layer 62 and the transparent layer 63 in such a manner is colored. For example, the light of a fluorescent lamp reflected in an image becomes an interference color instead of natural white reflection.

Here, in order to suppress the bronze phenomenon using the method according to the present embodiment,
a) The point of varying the film thickness d of the transparent layer 63 b) The point of strong reflection at the interface between the transparent layer 63 and the ink layer 62 to cause thin film interference,
Can be said to be important.

  Variation in the film thickness d of the transparent layer 63 shown in a) will be described. Note that the variation in the film thickness d of the transparent layer 63 may be realized, for example, by making the surface of the transparent layer 63 uneven, or the interface between the transparent layer 63 and the ink layer 62, that is, ink. You may implement | achieve by making the surface of the layer 62 uneven | corrugated shape.

  FIG. 5 shows a simulation result of how much the surface roughness (Ra) of the surface of the ink layer is such that the interference color varies and cancels the color. That is, the graph shows how the interference color intensity (C *) changes when the surface roughness of the ink layer is varied.

  Here, the smaller the numerical value of the intensity of the interference color, the more the interference color becomes achromatic as the entire image. In general, if it becomes about 5 or less, it is considered that there is no problem visually. It can be seen that when the film thickness of the transparent layer 63 is 300, 700, 1500 μm, the interference color intensity is about 5 or less when the surface roughness (Ra) is about 80 nm or more. According to the simulation result shown in FIG. 5, when the surface roughness (Ra) of the black ink is set to 90 nm, for example, the intensity of the interference color is about 5 or less. More specifically, the surface roughness (Ra) of the black ink may be such that the surface roughness (Ra) is about 80 nm or more and about 100 nm in monochromatic recording.

  The surface roughness (Ra) is called centerline average roughness, and as shown in FIG. 6, the roughness curve is folded back from the centerline, and the area obtained by the roughness curve and the centerline is long. The value divided by L is expressed in micrometers (μm). In this embodiment, NANOSCALE HYBRID MICROSCOPE made by Keyence Corporation is used for measuring the surface roughness. Any measuring instrument may be used as long as it can measure the surface roughness of the ink layer.

  Various methods for roughening the surface roughness of the transparent layer 63 and the ink layer 62 are conceivable, but any method may be used. For example, the type and formulation of the pigment ink, the recording condition of the pigment ink, the recording condition of the treatment liquid, etc. may be changed.

  Further, the thin film interference shown in the above b) occurs when the difference in refractive index between the transparent layer 63 and the ink layer 62 in contact with the transparent layer 63 is increased. Here, the effectiveness when the order in which the pigment inks of the respective colors are deposited on the recording medium is optimized based on the difference in refractive index will be described. Here, among the pigment inks, a magenta ink having a large refractive index difference from the transparent layer and a cyan ink having a small difference will be described as examples.

  In FIG. 7A, a transparent layer 63 is provided on the ink layer 62 formed of magenta ink, and in FIG. 7B, the transparent layer 63 is provided on the ink layer 62 formed of cyan ink. It has been.

  Here, in FIG. 7A, an ink layer (magenta ink) having a large refractive index difference with respect to the transparent layer 63 is arranged immediately below the transparent layer 63. In this case, the incident light 64 is divided into light 65 reflected on the surface of the transparent layer 63 and light 67 traveling into the transparent layer 63. Since the light 67 has a large difference between the refractive index n1 of the transparent layer 63 and the refractive index nM of the ink layer (magenta ink) 62, most of the light 67 is reflected light 69 at the interface. According to such a laminated structure, since strong reflected light is obtained from the interface, the light 65 and the light 66 interfere with each other on the surface of the transparent layer 63, and have various wavelengths according to the film thickness d of the transparent layer 63. Interference color occurs. As a result, since the bronze color of the ink layer (magenta ink) 62 can be canceled, it appears white to the human eye and the image quality is felt well.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 7B, an ink layer (cyan ink) having a small difference in refractive index with respect to the transparent layer 63 is disposed immediately below the transparent layer 63. In this case, the incident light 64 is divided into light 65 reflected by the surface of the transparent layer 63 and light 67 traveling inside the transparent layer 63. Since the light 67 has a small difference between the refractive index n1 of the transparent layer 63 and the refractive index nC of the ink layer (cyan ink) 62, the light 67 is further divided into light 70 traveling into the pigment ink. Therefore, the reflected light 69 at the interface between the transparent layer 63 and the ink layer 62 is weakened, and interference between the light 65 and the light 66 hardly occurs on the surface of the transparent layer 63. That is, when the difference in refractive index between the transparent layer 63 and the ink layer 62 is small, the incident light 64 is weakly reflected at the interface between the transparent layer 63 and the ink layer 62 and proceeds to the inside of the ink layer 62. End up. As a result, interference does not easily occur on the surface of the transparent layer, and the bronze of the pigment ink (cyan ink) is visible to the eyes, so that the image quality is perceived to be bad for human eyes.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the bronze color of an image recorded with pigment ink is reduced by paying attention to the likelihood of interference due to the difference in refractive index between the transparent layer 63 and the ink layer 62. That is, if the difference in refractive index between the transparent layer 63 and the ink layer 62 is large, interference is likely to occur. Therefore, the pigment such that the ink layer having a large difference in refractive index from the transparent layer 63 is in contact with the transparent layer 63. Ink is deposited on the recording medium.

(Configuration example of recording device)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system in the recording apparatus 30 shown in FIG.

  Prior to the description of the recording apparatus 30, the host computer 40 will be described first.

  The host computer 40 functions as an image supply unit that supplies an image to the recording apparatus 30. More specifically, the RGB multi-valued image data stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk is supplied to the recording device 30. In the recording apparatus 30, multi-value image data may be input from an image input device such as a scanner or a digital camera in addition to the host computer 40.

  Here, the printing apparatus 30 includes a print buffer 301, a mask buffer 302, an MPU 303, a ROM 304, a RAM 305, an ASIC 306, and an image processing unit 307 as a control system. Furthermore, the recording apparatus 30 is also provided with a carriage drive control unit 308, a conveyance control unit 309, and a recording head control unit 310 as a configuration of the control system.

  The image processing unit 307 performs image processing on the multi-value image data input from the host computer 40, and converts the multi-value image data into binary image data. Thus, binary image data (ink ejection data) for ejecting a plurality of types of pigment ink from the recording head is generated. The image processing unit 307 also generates binary image data (processing liquid discharge data) for discharging the processing liquid.

  The recording head control unit 310 performs discharge control of ink and processing liquid from the recording head 22 (discharge ports thereof). More specifically, the recording head control unit 310 uses different types of pigment ink (for each scan of the recording head 22) based on binary image data of at least two or more types of pigment ink generated by the image processing unit 307. Droplets) are ejected from the recording head 22.

  The ROM 304 stores a program, for example. The RAM 305 is used as a work area or temporary data storage area for the MPU 303. An MPU (Micro Processor Unit) 302 performs overall control of processing in the recording apparatus 30 according to a program stored in the ROM 304 or the like.

  The MPU 303 also controls the carriage drive control unit 308, the recording medium conveyance control unit 309, the recording head control unit 310, and the like via, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 306. The MPU 303 is configured to be able to read and write to the print buffer 301 via the ASIC 306.

  The print buffer 301 temporarily stores the image data converted into a format that can be transferred to the recording head 22. The mask buffer 302 temporarily stores a predetermined mask pattern to be AND-processed according to the data transferred from the print buffer 301 when transferring to the recording head 22.

[Image processing]
Next, a method of generating ejection data (binary image data) of the processing liquid and pigment ink will be described with reference to FIG.

  This processing starts when multivalued image data in RGB format is input from the host computer 40 in the recording apparatus 30. When this processing is started, the recording apparatus 30 causes the image processing unit 307 to perform color conversion on the RGB multi-value image data, and multi-value image data corresponding to each of a plurality of types of ink (K, C, M, Y). Is generated (S101).

  Subsequently, the recording apparatus 30 performs binarization processing in the image processing unit 307 and develops multi-value image data corresponding to various inks into binary image data. Thereby, binary image data corresponding to a plurality of types of pigment ink is generated (S102).

  In the image processing unit 307, the recording apparatus 30 performs AND processing (logical product operation) on the generated binary image data of the plurality of types of pigment inks (K, C, M, Y). Thereby, binary image data for the processing liquid is generated (S103). Note that the generation method of the binary image data for the processing liquid is not limited to such a method, and for example, the processing liquid binary image data may be generated in a pattern that uniformly covers the entire recording medium. In the present embodiment, the processing liquid pattern is used so that the processing liquid becomes about 100% Duty regardless of the presence or absence of pigment ink dots.

  The recording device 30 has a large difference in refractive index from the processing liquid among a plurality of types of pigment inks used for recording in a predetermined region based on the binary image data of the pigment ink in the image processing unit 307 (a predetermined reference). The pigment ink is determined (S104). Note that the refractive index values of the treatment liquid and the pigment ink may be stored in advance in the ROM 304, for example.

  As a result of the determination, the recording apparatus 30 sets the image processing unit 307 to use the latter half mask pattern for the pigment ink determined to have a large refractive index difference from the processing liquid (S104, S105). In addition, the first half mask pattern is set to be used for the remaining pigment ink determined to have a small difference (S104, S106).

  Thereafter, in the image processing unit 307, the recording apparatus 30 performs mask pattern processing for distributing the data to a plurality of scans on binary image data of a plurality of types of pigment ink. As a result, ejection data in a format that can be transferred to the recording head 22 is generated (S107).

  Here, as a specific example of the above-described processing, for example, an image of a predetermined region binarized in S102 is a magenta ink having a large refractive index difference from the processing liquid, and a cyan ink having a small difference. Suppose that In this case, the second half mask pattern is set for magenta ink in S105, and ejection data is generated in S107. On the other hand, the first half mask pattern is set for cyan ink in S106, and ejection data is generated in S107. Based on the ejection data generated in this way, pigment ink is ejected from the recording head 22 of the recording apparatus 30 by a multi-pass recording method described later, and an image is recorded on the recording medium.

[Recording operation]
Next, a recording operation in the recording apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Here, a case will be described in which recording is performed by a multipass recording method in which an image is recorded for each predetermined area by a total of eight scans. That is, in the present embodiment, the recording on the predetermined area on the recording medium is completed by scanning the recording head 22 a plurality of times (eight times scanning).

  Here, of the eight scans of the print head, the first four scans form an ink layer on the print medium with pigment ink, and then the second four scans cover the ink layer 62. A transparent layer 63 is formed on the recording medium by the treatment liquid. Note that the recording method of the treatment liquid may be a single scan, and the number of scans and the method of adhering to the recording medium are not particularly limited to the methods shown here.

  In a total of eight recording scans using pigment ink, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 10, a mask pattern for evenly distributing ink in each scan is used, and the ink is distributed over the entire ejection port array. It was distributed.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, among the multiple types of pigment inks used for recording in a predetermined area, a pigment ink capable of forming a layer having a large difference in refractive index from the treatment liquid (a binary image). Data). Then, the second half mask pattern is set for the binary image data of the pigment ink to generate ejection data.

  Here, FIG. 11 shows an example of the latter half mask pattern. Ink ejection based on the ejection data generated by the latter half mask pattern is performed in the order of B1, B2, B3,... B8.

  The latter half mask pattern is configured such that ink is not ejected in the first four scans out of a total of eight scans. In other words, the latter half mask pattern is configured to eject ink to all the pixels only by the last four scans including the last scan.

  On the other hand, for binary image data of pigment ink determined to have a small difference in refractive index, the first half mask pattern is set as described above to generate ejection data.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the first half mask pattern. Ink ejection based on the ejection data generated by the first half mask pattern is performed in the order of B1, B2, B3,... B8.

  The first half mask pattern is configured to eject ink only in the first four scans out of a total of eight scans. In other words, the first half mask pattern is configured to eject ink to all the pixels only in the first four scans including the first scan.

  In the total of four scans using the treatment liquid, although not shown, a mask pattern that evenly distributes the treatment liquid at 25% Duty is used. The mask pattern used for the processing liquid is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the total number of scans is 100% Duty, and the distribution may be changed.

  Here, referring to FIG. 13, when printing is performed on a predetermined area using magenta ink in which ejection data is generated with the second half mask pattern and cyan ink in which ejection data is generated with the first half mask pattern. An overview of the processing will be described.

  The cyan (C) ink discharge recording head 22C and the magenta (M) ink discharge recording head 22M have eight blocks B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, and B6 each having 160 discharge ports. , B7, B8.

  The recording head 22C uses 640 ejection ports in the range α (see FIG. 2) of the blocks B1 to B4. Hereinafter, the discharge ports of the blocks B1 to B4 may be referred to as A, B, C, and D region discharge ports.

  The recording head 22M uses 640 ejection ports in the range β (see FIG. 2) of the blocks B5 to B8. Hereinafter, the discharge ports of the blocks B5 to B8 may be referred to as discharge ports in the e, f, g, and h regions.

  The recording head 22H for processing liquid is divided into four equal blocks B9, B10, B11, and B12, each having 640 ejection openings. The recording head 22H uses 640 ejection ports in the range γ (see FIG. 2) of the blocks B9 to B12. Reference numerals 50-1, 50-2, 50-3, etc. are recording areas on the recording medium corresponding to one block of the recording head 22.

  First, in the first scan, ink is ejected from the ejection openings in the area A of the recording head 22C based on the ejection data during the first scan of the recording area 50-1. Next, the recording medium is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction) by the length of 160 ejection ports of the recording head. In FIG. 13, the recording head is shown as moving relative to the direction (arrow X direction) opposite to the sub-scanning direction.

  In the second scan, ink is ejected from the ejection openings in the B area of the recording head 22C based on the ejection data during the second scan of the recording area 50-1. During the second scan, the first scan is performed on the recording area 50-2.

  In the same manner as described above, the third scan and the fourth scan are performed. By such first to fourth scans, the image recording to the recording area 50-1 with cyan (C) ink is completed.

  Next, the recording medium is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the length of 160 ejection ports of the recording head. In the subsequent fifth scan, ink is ejected from the ejection openings in the e area of the recording head 22M based on the ejection data during the fifth scan of the recording area 50-1. At the time of the fifth scan, the fourth scan for the recording area 50-2 and the first scan for the recording area 50-5 are performed.

  Next, the recording medium is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the length of 160 ejection ports of the recording head. In the subsequent sixth scan, ink is ejected from the ejection openings of the f region of the recording head 22M based on the ejection data during the sixth scan of the recording region 50-1. During the sixth scan, the fifth scan for the recording area 50-2 and the first scan for the recording area 50-6 are performed.

  In the same manner as described above, the seventh scan and the eighth scan are performed. By such fifth to eighth scans, the image recording in the recording area 50-1 with the magenta (M) ink is completed.

  Next, the recording medium is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the length of 160 ejection ports of the recording head. In the subsequent ninth scan, the processing liquid is ejected from the ejection ports of the recording head 22H based on the ejection data during the ninth scan of the recording area 50-1. During the ninth scan, the eighth scan for the recording area 50-2 and the first scan for the recording area 50-9 are performed.

  Next, the recording medium is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the length of 160 ejection ports of the recording head. In the subsequent tenth scan, the processing liquid is ejected from the ejection ports of the recording head 22H based on the ejection data during the ninth scan of the recording area 50-1. During the tenth scan, the ninth scan for the recording area 50-2 and the first scan for the recording area 50-10 are performed.

  In the same manner as described above, the eleventh scan and the twelfth scan are performed. By such ninth to twelfth scans, the covering of the image of the recording area 50-1 with the processing liquid (H) ink is completed. Thereafter, by repeating the same scanning, the recording of the image with the pigment ink and the covering of the image with the processing liquid in the recording regions 50-2, 50-3,.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the ink layer having a large difference in optical characteristics (in the first embodiment, the refractive index) with the transparent layer is the latter half of the plurality of scans so as to contact the transparent layer. Form by scanning. Further, the ink layer having a small difference is formed by the first half of a plurality of scans so as not to contact the transparent layer.

  This increases the reflected light at the interface between the transparent layer (first layer) and the ink layer (second layer) in contact with the transparent layer, and can cause interference on the surface of the transparent layer. Can reduce the bronze color. Further, there is no addition of a large-scale configuration (for example, a laminating apparatus).

  In the above description, the magenta ink layer is formed by four scans including the last scan, and the cyan ink layer is formed by four scans including the first scan. It is not limited to this. Specifically, there is no limit to the number of scans with pigment ink. In addition, the number of scans for discharging each pigment ink may be biased, such as discharging any one of the pigment inks with a small number of scans.

  In the above description, the case where the first half mask pattern is used to generate the cyan ink ejection data having a small difference in refractive index from the transparent layer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, according to the present embodiment, it is only necessary that the ratio of the ink layer formed by the pigment ink having a large difference in refractive index from the transparent layer is in contact with the transparent layer. Therefore, for example, for the pigment ink having such a small difference, a conventionally used max pattern having an equal ratio as shown in FIG. 10 may be used. Further, for example, for the pigment ink having such a large difference, the mask pattern shown in FIG. 14 (the ratio of ink being ejected in the latter half of the entire scanning is high) may be used.

  In the above description, the case of generating ejection data using a mask pattern has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it is only necessary to generate pigment ink ejection data so that an ink layer having a large refractive index difference from the transparent layer is in contact with the transparent layer, and any configuration may be used.

  In the above description, the order of ink deposition on the recording medium is determined based on the difference in refractive index with the transparent layer. For example, the deposition amount, the sum of the deposition amounts, the image density, the image density, and the like. The deposition order may be determined in consideration of gradation and the like. In addition, the ratio of the ink to be deposited during the latter half of the plurality of scans, the number of scans, and the like may be varied depending on the above conditions.

  In the above description, the pigment ink Gr (magenta ink, yellow ink) having a large difference in refractive index from the treatment liquid is classified into the pigment ink Gr (cyan ink, black ink) having a small difference. However, for example, the number to be classified is not limited to this. Even when the number of classifications is increased, the same control as described above can be performed if a plurality of references, a plurality of mask patterns, and the like are prepared.

  In the above description, the case where the image performance (scratch resistance in the above-described embodiment) is improved by the pigment ink by the layer (transparent layer) formed of the processing liquid has been described, but is not limited thereto. For example, a material (for example, a transparent resin material) that improves functions such as scratch resistance is added to a part or all of a light color pigment ink (for example, light cyan ink, light magenta ink, or light gray ink). An outermost layer may be formed. In this case, there is no need to mount additional parts on the (ink) tank, the print head, etc., so that the print head can be reduced in size and cost. A part or all of the dark pigment ink (for example, cyan ink, black ink, magenta ink) may also serve as the processing liquid.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. In the second embodiment, the transparent layer (outermost layer) is not formed by the treatment liquid, but the layer formed of the light-colored pigment ink has a function of improving scratch resistance, and the light-colored pigment ink is used as the outermost layer. The case where it becomes so is demonstrated.

  In the first embodiment, the ink used for forming the ink layer is determined based on the difference in refractive index between the outermost layer and the ink layer in contact therewith. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the measurement method is easy, and this determination is performed using the difference in the color of the reflected light that is very correlated with the refractive index. That is, the pigment ink that determines the difference in the color of reflected light with respect to the lightest ink layer on the outermost layer is determined, and the ink adheres to the recording medium so that the pigment ink is in contact with the lighter ink layer on the outermost layer. Control the order. In the second embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment may be omitted.

[overall structure]
In the overall configuration of the recording apparatus 30 according to the second embodiment, the processing liquid recording head 22H is omitted from the configuration of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the recording head 22 according to the second embodiment includes recording heads 22K, 22C, 22M, 22Y, 22LC, and 22LM. In the recording heads 22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y, 1280 ejection ports are arranged at a density of 1200 dpi along the sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction), and ejection port arrays of respective colors are formed. Further, the recording heads 22LC and 22LM are shifted to the downstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction along the sub-scanning direction (arrow Y direction) with respect to the recording heads 22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y, and 1280 ejection ports are provided. It is arranged.

[Bronze phenomenon reduction method]
In the second embodiment, a light pigment ink is formed to be the outermost layer of an image. Table 3 shows measured values relating to bronze when light cyan ink and light magenta ink are deposited on a recording medium.

  As shown in Table 3, the light color pigment ink has a smaller bronze value than the dark color pigment ink. This is because the light-colored pigment ink according to Embodiment 2 contains a transparent resin material having a function of improving the scratch resistance. The resin reflects specularly reflected light in a color close to the light source color as compared with the pigment (coloring material). That is, since the wavelength dependence of the spectral intensity is small, it is considered that the light-color pigment ink containing a large amount of resin has a smaller bronze value.

  Therefore, by recording an image on a recording medium so as to cover an ink layer formed with a dark pigment ink using an ink layer formed with a light pigment ink having a small bronze value, The effect of suppressing bronze is obtained.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the order in which the pigment ink is attached to the recording medium is controlled based on the difference in the color of the reflected light with respect to the outermost layer. Here, when a white light source is incident on the ink layer at a predetermined angle with respect to an image on a recording medium on which an ink layer is formed with a single color pigment ink, the color varies depending on the refractive index. Colored reflected light can be obtained. When two types of monochromatic pigment inks are selected, if the color difference (ΔE) between the regular reflection lights is large, the difference in refractive index is large and interference easily occurs. On the other hand, if the color difference between the specularly reflected light is small, the difference in refractive index is also small and interference does not easily occur. In the present embodiment, chromaticity is measured using SPECTRORADIOMETER CS-2000A manufactured by Konica Minolta. Any measuring instrument may be used as long as it can measure the color of the specularly reflected light.

  Table 4 shows the measurement results of the color difference (ΔE) between the light cyan ink and each dark color ink, and the color difference (ΔE) between the light magenta ink and each dark color ink. Table 4 also shows the degree of interference when light cyan ink and light magenta ink are used as the outermost layer and each color ink is in contact.

Here, the value of the color difference of the specular reflection light is a value obtained from an image in which pigment ink is ejected at 100% duty by multi-pass printing with a total of 8 scanning operations. Further, the (visual) evaluation of the degree of interference is performed on an image recorded by ejecting dark pigment ink at 100% duty and then ejecting light pigment ink at 100% duty on the recording medium. Based on. In this case, Canon photo glossy paper (trade name “photo glossy paper [thin mouth] LFM-GP421R”) is used as the recording medium.

  As shown in Table 4, it can be seen that interference is likely to occur if the color difference between the specularly reflected light between the outermost light-colored ink layer and the ink layer in contact therewith is large, and interference is difficult to occur if the difference is small. It can also be seen that the combination of inks causing interference and the combination of inks causing no interference differ depending on the type of ink and depend on the magnitude of the color difference of the regular reflection light. That is, when the light cyan ink is the outermost layer, interference easily occurs when an ink layer formed of magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink comes into contact. Further, when the light magenta ink is the outermost layer, interference easily occurs when an ink layer formed of cyan ink comes into contact. Thus, by optimizing the order in which the pigment ink is deposited on the recording medium, the bronze color of the pigment ink image can be reduced.

[Image processing]
Next, a method for generating ejection data according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This processing starts when multivalued image data in RGB format is input from the host computer 40 in the recording apparatus 30. When this processing is started, the recording apparatus 30 causes the image processing unit 307 to perform color conversion on the RGB multi-value image data, and multi-value image data corresponding to each of a plurality of types of ink (K, C, M, Y). Is generated (S201).

  Subsequently, the recording apparatus 30 performs binarization processing in the image processing unit 307 and develops multi-value image data corresponding to various inks into binary image data. Thereby, binary image data corresponding to a plurality of types of pigment ink is generated (S202).

  The recording device 30 is the outermost layer of the light color pigment ink (LC, LM) used for recording in a predetermined area on the recording medium based on the binary image data of the pigment ink in the image processing unit 307. The pigment ink is determined (S203).

  The recording device 30 uses the pigment ink (K, C, M, Y) used for recording in a predetermined area on the recording medium in the image processing unit 307 based on the binary image data of the pigment ink. Determine ink. That is, among the pigment inks used for recording in a predetermined area on the recording medium, a pigment ink having a large specular reflection color difference (differing from a predetermined reference or more) with the light color pigment ink forming the outermost layer is determined. The value of the regular reflection light of the pigment ink may be stored in advance in the ROM 304, for example.

  As a result of the determination, the recording apparatus 30 is set to use the latter half mask pattern for the pigment ink determined to have a large color difference of the regular reflection light from the outermost layer in the image processing unit 307 (S204, S205). . In addition, the first half mask pattern is set to be used for the remaining pigment ink determined to have a small difference (S204, S206).

  Thereafter, in the image processing unit 307, the recording apparatus 30 performs mask pattern processing for distributing the data to a plurality of scans on binary image data of a plurality of types of pigment ink. As a result, ejection data in a format that can be transferred to the recording head 22 is generated (S207).

  Here, to give a specific example of the above-described processing, for example, it is assumed that the image of the predetermined area binarized in S202 is composed of light cyan ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink. In this case, in S203, the light cyan ink is determined as the pigment ink used for forming the outermost layer. In S204, the magenta ink is determined to have a large color difference between the regular reflected light and the light cyan ink, and in S205, the latter half mask pattern is set. In S204, it is determined that the color difference of the regular reflection light from the light cyan ink is small in S204, and the first half mask pattern is set in S206. In S207, ejection data corresponding to each ink is generated, and based on the ejection data, pigment ink is ejected from the recording head 22 by a multi-pass recording method, and an image is recorded on the recording medium.

[Recording operation]
Next, a recording operation in the recording apparatus 30 according to the second embodiment will be described. Here, a case will be described in which recording is performed by a multipass recording method in which an image is recorded for each predetermined region by a total of 16 scans. More specifically, of the 16 scans of the print head, an ink layer is formed on the recording medium with the (dark color) pigment ink in the first 8 scans, and then the ink in the second 8 scans. An outermost layer of light color pigment ink is formed on the recording medium so as to cover the layer. Note that the number of scans and the method of attaching to the recording medium are not particularly limited to the methods shown here.

  Here, in a total of eight scans in which the ink layer is formed immediately below the outermost layer, pigment ink having a large color difference of the regular reflection light from the outermost layer is used. The latter half mask pattern is set for the pigment ink determined to have a large color difference, and the first half mask pattern is set for the pigment ink determined to have a small difference.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the pigment ink is used in accordance with the difference in the optical characteristics (the color of reflected light in the second embodiment) between the outermost layer and the ink layer in contact with the outermost layer. The order of deposition on the recording medium is controlled. Since the color difference of the specularly reflected light has a correlation with the difference in refractive index, the reflected light at the interface between the outermost layer (first layer) and the ink layer (second layer) in contact with the light pigment ink becomes stronger. . Therefore, bronzing due to pigment ink can be reduced by interference on the surface of the outermost layer.

  In the second embodiment, ΔE is used as the color difference of the regular reflection light. However, since the hue difference is correlated with the difference in refractive index, for example, a hue difference may be used.

  In the second embodiment, the ink that forms the outermost layer is light pigment ink (LC, LM), and the light cyan ink is described as a specific example of the ink that forms the outermost layer in a predetermined region. Not limited to. For example, the outermost layer may be formed using both light cyan ink and magenta ink. In this case, for example, if the color of the regular reflection light when the color is mixed is stored in advance in the ROM 304 or the like, the pigment ink in contact with the outermost layer can be determined. The recording head used in this embodiment has a configuration in which a light color pigment ink is attached onto a dark color pigment ink, and therefore, the light color pigment ink can be combined to form an outermost layer. This is because, unlike the dark-colored pigment ink, only the light-colored pigment ink contains the transparent resin material and functions in the same manner as the processing liquid described in the first embodiment. In addition, even if attention is paid to any one of the light color pigment inks and the pigment ink in contact with the outermost layer is determined, interference on the outermost layer of the image is more likely to occur than in the conventional configuration, and as a result, bronze Can be reduced.

  In the second embodiment, the light cyan ink and the light magenta ink that improve the image performance (for example, scratch resistance) of the pigment ink are used as the ink for forming the outermost layer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a treatment solution that is nearly colorless and transparent may be further added. This processing liquid may be recorded simultaneously with the light cyan ink and the light magenta ink, or may be recorded so as to cover them. In that case, it is preferable to perform optimal control by combining the above-described controls. Further, instead of the light pigment ink, the dark pigment ink may be used as the ink for forming the outermost layer.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the pigment ink used for the formation immediately below the outermost layer is determined using the color difference is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reflected light may be finely divided for each wavelength, and a difference in reflection spectrum representing the reflectance of each wavelength as a function may be used. That is, a pigment ink having a large difference in reflection spectrum from the outermost layer (differing from a predetermined standard or more) is determined, and the ink deposition order on the recording medium is controlled so that the pigment ink is in contact with the outermost layer. In addition, since the specific control method etc. are the same as that of the said description, the description is abbreviate | omitted. In addition, what is necessary is just to use a general spectral colorimeter (for example, Konica Minolta spectral colorimeter CM-2600d) for the measurement of a reflection spectrum.

  The above is an example of a typical embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be appropriately modified and implemented within the scope not changing the gist thereof. .

  For example, in Embodiment 1 described above, the discharge port for discharging the pigment ink (which constitutes the nozzle) and the discharge port for discharging the processing liquid are shifted in the sub-scanning direction (the arrow Y direction shown in FIG. 1). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a recording head without such a deviation may be used. Furthermore, the number of nozzles for the treatment liquid may be greater than the number of nozzles for the pigment ink, and the row of nozzles for the treatment liquid may be longer than the row of nozzles for the pigment ink. The same can be said for the configuration of such a recording head in the second embodiment.

  Further, in Embodiment 1 described above, the ink used for the outermost layer is the processing liquid, and in Embodiment 2 described above, the light cyan ink and the light magenta ink are used. However, the types and number of inks used for the outermost layer are not limited thereto. I can't. For example, dark magenta ink or cyan ink may be the outermost layer. In that case, the transparent resin material contained in the treatment liquid or the light-colored pigment ink is contained in the dark-colored pigment ink. Further, the type of ink on the outermost layer may be different for each predetermined area on the recording medium.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the pigment ink layer that is not in contact with the outermost layer is not particularly described, but the order of formation of the layer may be controlled in any way. For example, in consideration of reflection at the interface between the second layer (ink layer in contact with the outermost layer) and the third layer (ink layer not in contact with the outermost layer), each layer is formed by applying the above-described embodiment. The pigment ink may be determined. Furthermore, the layers classified as the third layer (ink layer not in contact with the outermost layer) are further separated from the third layer (ink layer not in contact with the outermost layer) and the fourth layer (further away from the outermost layer than the third layer). Ink layers) may be classified. In this case, the third layer and the fourth layer may be switched between processes for determining whether or not to perform lamination in consideration of reflection at the interface.

  Moreover, although Embodiment 1 and 2 mentioned above focused on the point in order to improve abrasion resistance, of course, you may improve performance other than this. That is, it may be carried out using a pigment ink or a treatment liquid that improves some performance of an image such as image quality such as glossiness, image fastness such as water resistance, alkali resistance, and weather resistance. For example, materials such as silicone oil can be used for such ink and treatment liquid in addition to water-soluble resin and water-decomposable resin.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, all of a plurality of types of pigment inks used for recording an image in a predetermined area are determined, and the pigment ink used for forming the layer immediately below the outermost layer is determined. The process is not limited to such a process. For example, the pigment ink used for forming the layer immediately below the outermost layer may be determined from a certain number of types of pigment ink, or the determined ink may be a plurality of types of pigment ink.

  In Embodiment 2 described above, the pigment ink in contact with the outermost layer is determined based on the difference in the refractive index, the color of the regular reflection light, and the value of the reflection spectrum. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pigment ink in contact with the outermost layer may be determined as the pigment ink having the largest difference between the values. Further, a threshold value may be provided for the difference between these values, and all inks that are equal to or greater than the threshold value may be determined as ink having a large difference. Furthermore, depending on the type of recording medium (type of receiving layer such as a high-absorbing receiving layer, type of application such as glossy paper / matte paper) and the type of recording mode (draft mode, high-definition mode, etc.), the threshold of the difference You may comprise so that it may change.

  Further, the treatment liquid and the light-color pigment ink are most effective when used for forming the outermost surface. However, during the recording operation, the processing liquid or light color pigment ink may be ejected together with other pigment inks, and a layer formed by the processing liquid or light color pigment ink may be arranged inside the ink layer immediately below the outermost layer. good.

Claims (7)

A recording apparatus that has a recording head that performs recording by discharging a plurality of types of droplets onto a recording medium, and that performs multipass recording using the recording head,
Image processing means for generating ejection data corresponding to the plurality of types of droplets for each scan of the multi-pass recording;
Discharge control means for discharging different types of liquid droplets from the recording head for each scan of the recording head based on the discharge data generated by the image processing means,
The image processing means includes
Of the plurality of types of droplets used for recording in a predetermined area on the recording medium, the droplets used for forming the first layer constituting the outermost surface on the recording medium are in contact with the first layer. And determining at least a droplet to be used for forming the second layer, which has a difference in optical characteristics with the first layer that is different from a predetermined reference, and generating the ejection data based on the determination. Recording device. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical characteristic is a refractive index in the first layer and the second layer. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical characteristic is a reflection spectrum in the first layer and the second layer. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical characteristic is a color of reflected light in the first layer and the second layer. The plurality of types of droplets are
Including multiple types of ink corresponding to each color and treatment liquid,
The image processing means includes
The first layer is formed by the processing liquid, and the second layer is formed by an ink capable of forming a layer different from the predetermined reference in the plural types of ink used for recording in the predetermined area. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ejection data is generated as described above. The plurality of types of droplets are
A plurality of types of ink corresponding to each color, and at least one type of ink includes a transparent resin material,
The image processing means includes
The first layer is formed by any ink containing the transparent resin material, and the ink that can form a layer different from the predetermined reference among the plurality of types of inks used for recording in the predetermined area. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ejection data is generated so as to form a second layer. A recording method of a recording apparatus having a recording head for recording by discharging a plurality of types of droplets onto a recording medium, and performing multipass recording using the recording head,
An image processing means for generating ejection data corresponding to the plurality of types of droplets for each scan of the multi-pass recording;
A step of ejecting different types of liquid droplets from the recording head for each scan of the recording head based on the ejection data generated by the image processing unit;
The image processing means includes
Of the plurality of types of droplets used for recording in a predetermined area on the recording medium, the droplets used for forming the first layer constituting the outermost surface on the recording medium are in contact with the first layer. And determining at least a droplet to be used for forming the second layer, which has a difference in optical characteristics with the first layer that is different from a predetermined reference, and generating the ejection data based on the determination. Recording method.

Images